Driving Mrs. Hevesi

State Comptroller Alan Hevesi’s office on Thursday admitted one of his public employees has spent part of the last three years working as a chauffeur for the Democratic official’s wife.

A spokesman for the comptroller saidÂ Hevesi had been planning to reimburse the state for the time that one of his employees has spent driving Carol Hevesi, but conceded the bill hasn’t yet been paid, even though it came due in May 2003.

“It was a mistake,” Hevesi spokesman David Neustadt said of the lapsed payment, which hasn’t yet been calculated.

News that Nicholas Aquafredda, who earns $61,163 a year, had been serving as Carol Hevesi’s driver emerged Thursday when Hevesi’s RepublicanÂ challenger, J. Christopher Callaghan, announced he had called Hevesi’s waste “hotline” to complain about misuse of a public employee.

A few hours later, Neustadt explained that the driver, who works as a security man, started spending part of his time driving Carol Hevesi after he was hired in March 2003 – three months after Hevesi took office.

In May of that year, Neustadt said, the state Ethics Commission issued an advisory opinion stating that the time Aquifreda spent as a chauffeur should be reimbursed, if there was no security issue involved. He had been driving the comptroller’s wife until about three months ago, Neustadt said, when health issues prevented her from traveling.

“It wasn’t the only thing he did,” Neustadt added.

“There have been periods when he was driving her. The Ethics Commission advisory specifically states that when there are security issues, it’s appropriate,” said Neustadt, who added that the Hevesi has received occasional threats.

As to when Hevesi would reimburse the state, Neustadt said: “We’ve got to figure out three and a half years worth,” of part-time chauffeuring.

Callaghan, who is far behind in the polls, said he didn’t initially know the details of the chauffer flap. He said had simply called Hevesi’s waste hotline after receiving a somewhat vague tip about Aquifreda.

After hearing about the Ethics Commission opinion, though, Callaghan questioned why it’s taken the comptroller, who has frequently blasted government agencies such as municipalities, school districts and public authorities for financial abuses, so long square the account.

“They got the opinion in 2003? This is 2006 and they are going to reimburse the State of New York?” asked Callaghan with mock incredulity.